Sidney, Thanks so much for posting that picture as a creative solution. I think we should have the space to do something similar to what your posted, but would need to go down to displaying plates on one side with TV on the other. I certainly like the fireplace with built ins that you chose to do in your home as it achieves what I am trying to do as well - fireplace as the real focus, and TV hidden or down played. Do you find having your TV on a swing out arm convient? In real life do you have the TV swung out most of the time, and only hidden on the occasion? Do you have any issues with glare from windows on your set-up? Thanks again Sidney for your help. Hopefully, at some point I will have a nice fireplace with built-ins like you do. Carol

Is this like a personality test? :) Depends on the style of the house! But since you asked for opinions of which ones we liked... for pure style I like #4. The wood is gorgeous and the curve softens the lines of an otherwise box-like structure. Not sure how it would look in your house with your marble and paint/floor colors you've described, but it would look ok at my place. lol!

What do you plan to store in the drawers/cabinets? That will determine the best size. At 17 - 18" deep, cabinets will offer the most storage, and be great for things like board games; if you are storing a DVD collection, drawers sized for DVDs on their sides (titles facing up) would be best. If you go for doors, make sure you get extra shelves, so you can store things without stacking. Depending on what you may be displaying on the shelves, lighting and glass shelves may be in order. It's always better to approach a project like this from the standpoint of "I want these things to go here", rather than "I have a space - now what should I do with it?"

I don't think the shelves are finished either. Are they adjustable? Plants in shelves look a bit on the dorky side, especially when they match and aren't real. Consider 1/3 books (standing, leaning, lying, supporting other objects,) 1/3 large decor items and 1/3 open space. Do the shelves not continue to the right side wall? Looks like an odd gap there. I agree that painting the wall and that gap to match the shelving white will be helpful. Notice the unity of color here, but the finish on the woodwork is more of a satin or semi-gloss. I always advise putting TV elsewhere. General rule for me is that whatever hangs above the fireplace should be no wider than the firebox opening. A larger TV there won't help anything. Art would be my choice Note that in the pic here only the ceiling is reflected by the mirror. I'm sure if you sat in the right seat you would see the light fixture doubled, but still, art is just more interesting and exciting and makes its own focal statement without anything on the side walls. If you must have a larger TV there, then I would change the paint color to all black.